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What Are Your Transportation Priorities?

Black man looking at camera smiling while sitting in driver seat of a public bus.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) launched a public survey to gather input for the 2050 Maryland Transit Plan. Access to transportation (or lack thereof) directly impacts employment, health and overall quality of life. The MDOT Transit Plan will be a 20-year vision for statewide transportation and will direct the state’s efforts moving forward.  Your input will help shape our transit system for the next few decades. The survey is available online in a digital format or it can be downloaded and emailed.

Complete the survey by Friday, May 5, 2023 at 5:00PM:  https://www.mdot.maryland.gov/tso/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=22


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Wiley Secures Victory for Disability Rights Maryland in Pro Bono Lawsuit Against Prince George’s County Public Schools

Washington, DC – Wiley Rein LLP secured an important victory on behalf of Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) in a lawsuit against Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), stemming from allegations that the school system disproportionately subjected students with disabilities to inappropriate and exclusionary forms of discipline.

In a March 24 decision granting DRM’s motion for summary judgment, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ordered PGCPS to provide DRM with contact information for the parents or guardians of students who are eligible for special education in the school district, and who have received a suspension of more than three days or were expelled since January 2019.

Wiley Pro Bono Partner Theodore A. Howard represents Disability Rights Maryland in this case in collaboration with Luciene Parsley and Megan Berger of DRM’s legal staff. DRM is a nonprofit organization designated as the State of Maryland’s Protection & Advocacy agency. DRM is “federally mandated to advance the civil rights of people with disabilities,” and provides free legal services to individuals in Maryland with all types of disabilities who live in facilities or the wider community, or who are homeless.

DRM’s unsuccessful requests for parent or guardian contact information came after it received over 85 complaints against PGCPS related to exclusionary discipline and educational neglect of students with disabilities. As noted in the court’s ruling, DRM investigated many of the complaints and concluded that “PGCPS frequently violated the educational rights of students with disabilities.” 

When PGCPS refused to voluntarily provide the contact information DRM sought, Wiley filed an action for declaratory and injunctive relief on DRM’s behalf in November 2021 under the applicable federal protection and advocacy statutes and regulations.

The court agreed with Wiley’s argument that DRM is entitled to production by the school system of the information it has requested as a matter of law, and firmly rejected the various arguments interposed by the school system to prevent that outcome.

Originally posted March 28, 2023 by Wiley Rein LLP

 

About Wiley Rein LLP

Founded in 1983, Wiley is a dominant presence in the nation’s capital. With more than 240 attorneys and advisors, the firm has earned international prominence by representing clients in complex, high-stakes regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters. Many of Wiley’s lawyers and public policy advisors have held high-level positions in the White House and federal agencies and on Capitol Hill. The firm represents a wide range of clients – from Fortune 500 corporations to trade associations to individuals – in virtually all industries. Wiley provides significant pro bono legal services and charitable contributions to the local community every year.

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DRM Supports Accessible Gender-Affirming Health Care

Trans gender flag with medical or doctor symbol on top

House Bill 283 and Senate Bill 460, the Trans Health Equity Act, expands Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming health care. Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) supports this bill. Sam Williamson, DRM attorney, is working with the Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition to ensure transgender Marylanders get access to life-saving health care. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization, have endorsed the medical necessity of this care. Strikingly, 39% of transgender individuals have one or more disabilities, compared to 15% of the general population. It is no surprise that failing to provide adequate treatment for a medical condition, such as gender dysphoria, leads to significant long-term health consequences. 

Providing full coverage for gender-affirming care is also legally required. Multiple federal courts have found that states violated nondiscrimination provisions in the Affordable Care Act when they withheld coverage for gender-affirming care.

Take Action: Call on your legislators to support the Trans Health Equity Act! | Advance Maryland

Listed below are several articles providing more details and sharing Sam’s expertise on the subject. Learn More:

Opinion: Maryland Legislators can take bold action to protect our transgender community

Advocates press for passage of Trans Health Equity Actrans

Maryland’s House health committee holds hearing on legislation to protect gender-affirming care

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DRM Mourns the Loss of Judith Heumann

Photo: Judith Heumann at DRM’s 2015 Breaking Barriers Gala with former Executive Director Virginia Knowlton Marcus.

 

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) mourns the passing of Judith Heumann, a hero in the disability rights movement, on March 4th at the age of 75. As we grieve the loss of Judith, often regarded as “the mother” of the disability rights movement, we remember her five decades of tenacious advocacy for people with disabilities.

In 2015, at our annual Breaking Barriers Award Gala, DRM presented Judith with the Lorraine Sheehan Lifetime Achievement Award for her heroic leadership and defining voice in the disability rights movement. Her leadership stood out in the crusade and victory for inclusion, as well as respect and acceptance of people with disabilities. Her voice defined what justice is and what justice means for people with disabilities.

In 2020, DRM established the Judith Heumann Champion of Justice Award to honor in perpetuity her legacy as one of the world’s most influential disability rights activists. This prestigious award recognizes one outstanding honoree for a lifetime of advocacy for the disability rights movement and all the civil rights movements with which it intersects.

Judith personally presented the award at DRM’s virtual Breaking Barriers Gala in 2020 to Wade Henderson, whose leadership and advocacy helped secure vital legislation for people with disabilities. She returned in 2021 to present the award to Representative Jamie Raskin for his lifelong commitment to the advancement and legal protection of rights for people with disabilities.

DRM will continue to proudly celebrate Judith’s legacy by presenting the Judith Heumann Champion of Justice Award to individuals who embody the values, accomplishments, and spirit that she infused into the disability rights revolution.

Judith was truly the agent and ethos that led to transformative changes in misperceptions about people with disabilities.

For more details on Judith’s life and memorial service, visit: judithheumann.com

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ARE YOU READY TO LEAD? Disability Rights Maryland Seeks an Executive Director

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) is seeking an experienced disability rights leader and advocate to lead this private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) law firm and advocacy organization as it creates an integrated and just society by advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout Maryland. DRM is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agency and a member of the National Disability Rights Network. We work with people with disabilities to pursue opportunities to champion their rights to self-determination, dignity, equality, opportunity, and freedom from discrimination and harm. We provide free legal services to persons with disabilities in Maryland and engage in systemic litigation and public policy advocacy to positively impact people’s lives.  DRM’s work spans a spectrum of issues including criminal justice and prison reform, education, monitoring facilities to investigate abuse, neglect and rights violations, voting, housing, transportation, assistive technology, health care, and the right to self-determination and appropriate services, among others, on behalf of Marylanders with all types of disabilities.  DRM envisions a world where people with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of community life.

The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead DRM’s experienced and talented team with a positive, results-oriented style that inspires all staff and broadens the circles of support for DRM’s work. The successful candidate will manage DRM in a manner consistent with this core mission and can relay commitment to the mission both inside and outside the organization while demonstrating the highest ethical standards and operating with integrity and transparency in conducting the business of the organization.

 

HIGH PRIORITY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • To serve as the primary public face of DRM with the disability community, the media, public officials, other nonprofits, and the community at large and to represent the organization in its various local, state, and federal networks;
  • To lead, encourage, and inspire a staff that is collaborative, talented, collegial and committed to the well-being of the communities we serve and one another;
  • To articulate and nurture a vision for DRM’s future;
  • To lead DRM’s community advocacy efforts including disseminating important information, making referrals, providing technical assistance, and training, as well as individual representation and systemic advocacy to promote legal rights for people with disabilities;
  • To lead DRM in setting priorities and in planning and pursuing creative strategies for addressing future challenges to the disability community and to the organization;
  • Develop and guide fundraising strategies which include cultivating and soliciting major gifts, and working alongside the board and staff to develop actionable fundraising plans;
  • To effectively and ethically oversee DRM’s finances in compliance with applicable law and DRM’s mission;
  • To grow and diversify resources to support DRM’s work;
  • To support an engaged Board of Directors in carrying out its responsibilities to the

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Possession of a Juris Doctor degree and membership in good standing with the Maryland Bar, or ability to obtain membership upon employment;
  • A passion for the mission of DRM and its multi-faceted advocacy approach;
  • A demonstrated commitment to, and experience with, advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in ways that express the values of inclusion, autonomy, equal access and full participation in community life;
  • Experience working with persons with disabilities, including from diverse communities;
  • An understanding of the difference between disability rights and disability justice;
  • Successful leadership of lawyers and others in a justice-oriented organization;
  • Experience managing a similar organization, including staff supervision, budget development, financial oversight, grant and contract compliance, strategic and priority planning, and managing change;
  • Experience successfully raising funds from private sources, including foundations and individual donors, and from federal, state and local governments;
  • Experience working effectively with multiple organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, the public, elected and appointed officials, and consumers of services;
  • Demonstrated understanding of legislative and executive-level public policy issues and processes, in Baltimore and Maryland a plus;
  • Experience working productively with or on an engaged board of directors;
  • Interpersonal skills that demonstrate integrity, respect, compassion, collegiality, inclusivity, flexibility, capacity to motivate and thoughtfulness;
  • Outstanding communication skills, including written language, with a range of audiences and
  • Preference for an individual with lived experience as a person with a disabiiity.

 

SALARY AND BENEFITS:        

The salary range is $130,000 to $160,000 depending on experience and special skills. DRM also offers a very generous benefits package which includes excellent medical insurance, employer-paid dental, prescription, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as pre-tax savings plans, and a retirement savings opportunity with generous employer contributions. DRM offers eligible employees reimbursement for the cost of spouse or partner-paid health insurance premiums up to an established maximum amount. DRM also offers generous paid time off package, including vacation, holidays, sick time, and more. DRM is headquartered in Baltimore and a hybrid work schedule is available upon approval by the Board.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be reviewed as they are received. Serious candidates should submit applications as soon as possible, but no later than June 30, 2023. Applications should contain a current resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.

Applications should be submitted by email to Christine Griffin (cgriffin@benderconsult.com) and should include “DRM Executive Director Search” in the subject line. Please include in your message how you heard about the search. Only a select number of highly qualified individuals will be invited to participate in the formal interview process. This is a confidential process and will be handled accordingly throughout all phases of the recruitment and selection process.

Materials should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

DRM has retained the executive search firm and certified disability-owned business enterprise, Bender Consulting Services, Inc. to conduct this search, www.benderconsult.com.

DRM is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals with disabilities including those who are also people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals and others who contribute to staff diversity are encouraged to apply.   DRM provides reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Please notify us if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process.

 

ABOUT DISABILITY RIGHTS MARYLAND:

DRM’s advocacy improves the lives of people with disabilities and creates a more inclusive and just society for all, by advancing human rights. We help people with disabilities pursue opportunities to participate fully in all aspects of community life, and champion their rights to self-determination, dignity, equality, opportunity, and freedom from discrimination and harm.

DRM provides free legal services to Marylanders with disabilities on matters that are related to their disabilities and fall within our advocacy service areas. DRM’s advocacy services are developed in close collaboration with the community of people we serve, and in compliance with our funding sources.

DRM is Maryland’s designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agency and a member of the National Disability Rights Network. As such, DRM is part of a nationwide network of organizations working to advance the rights of people with disabilities. Congress established the P&A System in 1975 in response to squalid conditions in institutional facilities for people with disabilities. In creating and funding the P&As, Congress granted us unique statutory authority to conduct investigations of suspected abuse and neglect of individuals with disabilities in facilities.

DRM currently has a budget of approximately $5 million, and a staff of 45, including 19 attorneys, 3 intake specialists, 14 advocates, and 9 administrative support staff. Among the leadership team members are the Director of Litigation, the Director of Finance, the Deputy Director, and the Executive Director.

DRM receives federal funding from several agencies under the following grants:

  • Protection & Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (PADD), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR), U.S. Department of Education
  • Protection & Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT), U.S. Department of Education
  • Protection & Advocacy for Traumatic Brain Injury (PATBI), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Protection & Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS), Social Security Administration

In addition, DRM is a grantee of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation. In 2016, DRM was awarded a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention. DRM has received support from private foundations including the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation, Open Society Institute, Hoffberger Foundation, Zanvyl and Isabelle Krieger Fund, Fund for Change, Steptoe Foundation, Venable Foundation and the Baltimore Bar Foundation. DRM’s governing Board of Directors financially supports the organization with 100% participation. DRM also relies on charitable contributions from individual donors.

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